New government repeals anti-LGBTQ+ laws

Péter Magyar, elected Prime Minister of Hungary on April 12, 2026, has begun implementing reforms aimed at dismantling the policies of his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, who held power from 1998 to 2002 and from 2010 to 2026. Magyar's government repealed legislation that had prohibited the mention of homosexuality and gender identity to minors since 2021, a move praised by the European Union as a "significant signal of commitment to our common values."

Orbán's anti-LGBTQ+ policies under scrutiny

Viktor Orbán had previously implemented policies that restricted the sale of books depicting homosexuality or transidentity, requiring them to be sold in sealed packaging and prohibiting their sale within 200 meters of schools or places of worship. These policies were part of a broader anti-LGBT campaign influenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Public opinion and political caution

According to Judit Takács, a Hungarian sociologist, 68% of Hungarians support same-sex marriage, but Magyar, a former member of the conservative Fidesz party, has been cautious on LGBT issues to avoid cultural traps set by Fidesz. Magyar broke away from Fidesz in 2024.

Criticism of Orbán's tenure

András Bozóki, a Hungarian political scientist, noted that Orbán's tenure saw the destruction of democracy, the establishment of an authoritarian regime, and significant economic decline. Orbán's government faced criticism for high inflation, lack of jobs, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Orbán also refused to comply with EU demands for judicial reforms, resulting in the loss of 18 to 20 billion euros in European funds.

Magyar's reform agenda

Magyar's government has taken several steps to address these issues, including joining the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) on July 10, 2026, to combat fraud involving European funds. On July 13, Magyar reduced the Prime Minister's term to two mandates of four years to prevent a potential return of Orbán to power.

Institutional reforms and asset recovery

On September 1, 2026, Magyar established the National Office for Recovery and Protection of Assets (NVVH) to trace and recover public assets embezzled during Orbán's tenure. Magyar has also created five parliamentary investigative committees to examine corruption from the Orbán era.

Balancing EU and domestic pressures

According to Péter Krekó, a Hungarian social psychologist and political scientist, Magyar must balance EU expectations with the needs of his voters, avoiding the appearance of being overly liberal while implementing necessary reforms. Magyar's government has taken legally required measures to reassure Europeans, including aligning with a binding ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Pending political decisions

The European Commission has proposed releasing 4.2 billion euros from frozen funds. However, politically sensitive measures, such as restrictions on foreign worker recruitment, refusal to deliver weapons to Kyiv, and prohibition of adoption for same-sex couples, remain pending.